Dew shimmered across the blades like tiny stars, and the faint hum of waking insects filled the open plains. The East Valley Wing camp stirred to life – men packing tents, tightening saddles, and sharing soft laughter that carried through the calm air.
Kiaria and Diala standing near the chariot, stunned by its beauty and majestic appearance. An unexpected gift from people whom just met few hours ago.
Staley grinned. "You've earned it. Consider it a token of trust. Don't be stunned by its look."
Kiaria ran his fingers along the curved rails, admiring the craftsmanship. "It's perfect, Sheriff. Thank you."
"Hey, don't thank me," Staley said, waving off the words. "Thank those two idiots who worked on it full night restlessly instead of helping with the fences."
Ellein and Ferlin appeared from behind a tent, both pretending to stretch. "We heard that, old man!" Ellein grumbled.
"You too are here for credit... or something else," Diala's words struck in their heart like a thorn.
Laughter rippled through the camp, breaking the morning stillness. The air felt lighter somehow, as though the winds themselves smiled.
After a brief breakfast, Staley called Kiaria aside, his tone turning slightly serious.
"Little brother," he said, "I forgot to ask yesterday. Do you have a token to enter the Grasslands? Without it, the guards will arrest anyone for trespassing."
Kiaria blinked. "Token? I only have this one." He pulled out a small silver crest engraved with a wolf emblem surrounded by remarkable runes. "Elder Wolf gave it to me."
The Sheriff's brows rose. "That token–an imperial seal! You can walk anywhere in the Eastern realms with that. Kid, you really are something."
"Please," Kiaria said softly. "Keep this between us. My identity isn't meant to be known."
Staley chuckled under his breath. "Kid, anyone with eyes can already guess who you are. That scar on your forehead says more than any title." He rummaged through his pouch and handed over a dark linen hat with a thin veil attached. "Here. Wear this. It'll hide that mark for a while."
Kiaria accepted it with a nod. "Thank you, brother."
Just then, Ellein strolled over, hands behind his head. "Old Sheriff and little brother whispering secrets again? What are we plotting today?"
Staley sighed. "Trouble, apparently."
Kiaria looked at Ellein with a faint grin. "Brother Ellein, I heard from Brother Ferlin that you're the fastest man in the East Valley Wing. No one can catch you, right?"
Ellein puffed his chest. "That's not rumor, kid–it's fact."
"Then," Kiaria said, voice calm but teasing, "I'd like to challenge that."
The entire camp went silent.
Ellein blinked. "You want to… challenge me? In speed?"
Before he could answer, Staley clapped his hands loudly. "You heard him, brothers! Our little guest wants to test our fastest blade! Gather up!"
The camp erupted into noise. Mercenaries poured out of tents, forming a circle. The dawn light crept across their armor as laughter and shouts filled the field.
Ferlin slapped Ellein's shoulder. "Looks like you've been provoked, old friend."
Ellein smirked. "Fine then. Let's see if the boy can run faster than the wind."
Staley raised his hand. "The task is simple. Somewhere in the fields there's a rabbit with three purple streaks on its fur. Whoever catches it and brings it here first wins. Understand?"
Kiaria nodded calmly. "Understood."
Ellein cracked his knuckles. "Try to keep up, little brother."
Diala, watching from the side, covered her smile with her sleeve. "This will be fun."
At Staley's signal, Ellein burst forward like lightning, his boots barely touching the ground. His movement was sharp–trained by years of hunts and battles. Dust swirled behind him.
Kiaria, however, didn't move.
The camp murmured. "He's just standing there," one man said.
"Did he give up already?" another asked.
Ferlin frowned. "No… look at his eyes. He's watching something."
Diala chuckled softly. "Elder brothers, just wait. You'll see soon enough."
Ellein dashed across the valley, leaping over rocks, his eyes sharp. The purple-marked rabbit darted ahead of him, weaving through the tall grass. He grinned. "Got you!"
But the moment his fingers brushed its fur–
A silver flash streaked past him.
Wind exploded outward. In that instant, Kiaria appeared beside the rabbit, his form flickering like starlight reflected on water. He scooped the creature effortlessly and vanished again, leaving only a ripple of disturbed air.
When Ellein blinked, Kiaria was already standing at the camp's edge, rabbit in hand.
The camp went silent, stunned.
"What… was that?" someone muttered.
Kiaria set the rabbit gently on the ground. "My technique–Star-Feather Step. It's something I created to move as fast as falling light."
Ellein returned moments later, breathless, eyes wide. "You… little brat. You tricked me!"
Kiaria laughed lightly. "I warned you, didn't I?"
Ferlin clapped loudly. "Ha! Ellein, the unbeatable, beaten by a boy half your size!"
"Don't humiliate me!" Ellein snapped, though his grin betrayed him. "Fine, kid, you win this round. But next time, we race again."
"Anytime, brother," Kiaria said, bowing slightly.
Ellein's eyes glinted. "Then let's make it harder. Assassin's speed, not hunter's pace. I'll go all out this time."
"Agreed," Kiaria said. "But don't hold back."
The camp erupted again as both men took their positions. Ellein crouched low, his body shrouded in faint killing intent. His form blurred, melting into the grass.
Kiaria closed his eyes for a breath. A low hum filled the air as the light around him bent. Shadows thickened, drawn to him like ink into water.
Then, the transformation began.
Kiaria's white shoulder-length hair deepened into a sleek black, strands glinting violet where the light touched. His calm blue eyes darkened into deep amethyst, their glow reflecting a tranquil strength. His robe shifted shade by shade until it matched the shadows around him, the cloth seemingly alive as it blended with air.
Across his face, threads of energy wove themselves into a mask – scales of faint light forming over his mouth and nose, hiding his breath. The faint scar on his forehead gleamed, steady and pale – like a seal bridging light and shadow.
"Oh, that technique again. Pity on Brother Ellein." Diala responded with huge sigh.
When he opened his eyes, they glowed deep violet. His hair darkened to black, and an energy mask formed over his face. The Shadow Ghost Technique had awakened.
"What the–again?!" Ellein gasped.
Staley laughed. "Well, Ellein, looks like you got yourself a real opponent."
Diala raised her hand. "Ready. Three… two… one!"
The wind burst open.
Ellein vanished first–his movements silent, invisible except for the faint tremble of leaves where he passed.
But Kiaria left no trace at all.
The mercenaries scanned the field in confusion. "Where did he go?"
Diala sighed, smiling knowingly. "This was expected."
Even Staley was impressed. "That transformation alone defies logic."
Minutes passed. Ellein scoured the field, finding nothing but burrows and rustling grass with blood drops. He finally stopped, panting. "Damn… he's fast. Didn't even left at least one for me."
Then, from the distant campfire, smoke began to rise.
The mercenaries turned to find Kiaria kneeling beside a small fire, calmly skinning and cleaning several rabbits.
"What…?" Ellein gasped, stumbling closer.
Kiaria looked up. "Brother Ellein, you've been searching long. You must be hungry."
He gestured toward a basket of herbs beside him. "Dia, you're just in time. Let's cook these."
Diala nodded with a chuckle. "You never cease to surprise me." She wrapped the rabbit meat in leaves and placed them near the coals. The scent soon filled the air–rich, warm, and mouthwatering.
The mercenaries gathered, laughter echoing once more. Even though breakfast already filled their stomach, but the scent of flavored meat aroused their cravings for the meat to taste.
Ellein plopped down, exhausted. "You brat. You didn't just beat me–you fed me too."
Kiaria handed him a roasted leg. "Consider it compensation for your pride."
Ellein was about to retort, but Staley smacked the back of his head and shoved the food into his mouth. "Eat. Less talking, more chewing."
The camp erupted in laughter again.
Praises showered like worship on Diala for her skilled hands in cooking.
Kiaria started thinking, "If she learn to use martial soul to integrate in cooking, then no one can rival her skills."
Ferlin leaned against a log, smiling. "Heh. Never thought I'd see Ellein humbled."
Diala's eyes softened as she watched them all eat, their faces bright against the fading firelight. "They really are a family," she murmured.
Kiaria looked toward the horizon, where dawn had finally broken. "And today," he said quietly, "I think we became part of it."
The morning wind swept across the grasslands, carrying the sound of laughter far into the distance–a memory that would stay with them long after the fires died out.